Stauskas said he played baseball for fun growing up in Mississauga, Ontario, which is considered part of Greater Toronto. He added that he went to a few Blue Jays games as a kid, but he's always been devoted to basketball.

Tigers manager Brad Ausmus said he saw Stauskas play at a Michigan-Michigan State basketball game this season -- though he was a guest of the Spartans.

"But I wasn't picking sides," Ausmus said. "I was just looking for a good game."

Stauskas is the second former Michigan basketball player to throw out a first pitch this season. Jordan Morgan tossed one during the last homestand.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. Read Beck's Blog and follow him on Twitter @beckjason. Matt Slovin is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.